BT heeft zojuist de afronding van de acquisitie van Infonet bekendgemaakt. De aandeelhouders van Infonet gaven afgelopen woensdag hun goedkeuring. Op 8 november 2004 kondigde BT al aan voornemens te zijn Infonet over te nemen voor USD 2,06 per aandeel wat een totale waarde van USD 965 miljoen vertegenwoordigt. De acquisitie van Infonet versterkt BT's positie als wereldwijde leider op het gebied van IT- en netwerkdiensten. Infonet zal onder de naam BT Infonet onderdeel uitmaken van BT Global Services waar BT Nederland ook toebehoort. Het managementteam van BT Infonet behoudt de leiding over het bedrijf zodat de continuïteit richting klanten gewaarborgd blijft.
Het volledige, Engelstalige persbericht vindt u hieronder.
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BT COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF INFONET
BT today announced the completion of the acquisition of Infonet, one of the world's leading providers of global managed voice and data network services for corporate customers. All conditions to the transaction have now been met, following formal approval of Infonet's stockholders at a general meeting held on February 23.
BT and Infonet announced on 8 November 2004 an agreement for BT to acquire Infonet for $2.06 per share, valuing Infonet at $965m (£510m) inclusive of Infonet's cash balance of $390m (£205m)1, or $575m (£305m) net of the cash balance.
Infonet, which will be renamed BT Infonet, becomes part of BT Global Services. BT is confident it will achieve the synergy benefits initially announced, of $150m per annum by the third year after completion, in a way which will ensure service quality is maintained. BT Infonet's experienced management team, led by its chief executive, Jose A. Collazo, will remain in place to manage the business, maintain continuity for customers and assist in the integration of the two customer bases and product sets.
Andy Green, CEO BT Global Services, said: "I am very proud to welcome a great team of highly skilled professionals into the BT family. The combination of BT Global Services and Infonet will create a clear leader in the networked IT services market, and will enhance our position as the supplier of choice for multi-site organisations around the world. With the help of our new BT Infonet colleagues, BT Global Services will continue our drive to help our customers address the challenges and opportunities of the digital networked economy."
Jose A. Collazo, chief executive of BT Infonet, said: "We are about to begin a new era as part of BT, bringing significant opportunities for our customers and employees. BT Infonet brings market-leading skills in network management services, a brand identified with customer service excellence, a suite of services tailored to the needs of a continually globalizing world, global presence and reach around the world, and a stable entrepreneurial organization. It also brings a customer base of leading multinational organisations such as Volkswagen, Nestle, Bayer , IBM, DHL and Solvay. As a part of BT Global Services, we will remain focused on the same goal: to be the partner of choice for multinationals when it comes to launching and servicing mission critical applications."
Infonet's stock has today ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. EquiServe has been retained by BT to serve as paying agent. As soon as practicable, the paying agent will mail a letter of transmittal to each person who was a holder of stock at the effective time of the merger. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions for use in surrendering certificates formerly representing shares of Infonet common stock in exchange for $2.06 per share in cash.
About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Its principal activities include IT and networking services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
* BT Retail, providing a comprehensive range of communications and related services to over 20m UK consumers and businesses.
* BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK to more than 600 fixed and mobile operators and service providers including the provision of broadband and private circuits.
* BT Global Services, providing IT and networking services to meet the needs of multi-site organisations globally. BT Global Services operates in more than 130 countries and also offers international carrier services.
In the year ended 31 March 2004, BT Group's turnover was £18,519 million with profit before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of £2,013 million.
BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
About BT Infonet
BT Infonet is a leading provider of managed network communications services for multinational entities, fully owned by BT Group and part of BT Global Services. BT Infonet offers integrated solutions optimizing the complex relationship between enterprise applications and the global network. BT Infonet provides local service support in over 70 countries and territories and its network is accessible from more than 180 countries
Notice
This release may include statements that constitute "forward-looking statements", including with regard to the Infonet acquisition. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Neither BT nor Infonet undertakes any obligation to up-date these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
(1) As at 31 March, 2004